Trust me...anything that results in data loss is taken serious in ALL parts of Microsoft.

I was being somewhat facetious. MS does take data loss very seriously and will work with you around the clock (only speaking from Enterprise Products experience though.)

But, the reason I created this thread and am so concerned, I've never experienced something so bad RTMd. WindowsMe wasn't this bad, wait ... well at least that was debatable.

I really want this to succeed, but man, this is not good. For consumers, this is pretty important. Web browsing, email, Music & Video. In the back of my mind, the thought has occurred that this poor support for local files and trying to shuffle you to the music store through search is their way of trying to strong arm you to their store. But that's just frustration, they couldn't be that stupid.

No it's not in Surface RTYes it is in Windows 8 x86/x64No one has a pro yet, but since it will run x86/x64 OS, I would imagine it will.

Thanx. Did some lookin around myself but was still unclear about the Surface Pro yet, but like you say, it's not out yet, but probably will support it.I found out that in some cases it's not installed with Windows 8 but can be downloaded.Surface RT seems pretty limited for video/audio playback, so I'm sure glad I didn't just go out and buy one. (downloaded Music and Video are a big concern for me)

Thanx. Did some lookin around myself but was still unclear about the Surface Pro yet, but like you say, it's not out yet, but probably will support it.I found out that in some cases it's not installed with Windows 8 but can be downloaded.Surface RT seems pretty limited for video/audio playback, so I'm sure glad I didn't just go out and buy one. (downloaded Music and Video are a big concern for me)

Surface RT plays back video/audio just great and is a fantastic Netflix client. However, if you have a large music library and use playlists, it is currently unusable IMO. In fact, if you have a large media library, search is so bad it'll make you pull your hair out even if/when they do get everything working. I'm not sure there is going to be a fix for search usability. Zune will live a looooooong time.

There is a great alternative to Xbox Music by one of the mods here called Music Info. Performs and looks great. It's basically what Zune would be if it were a Windows 8 Store App.

It's just unfortunate the Xbox Music app is as crappy as it is. A LOT of the reviews also reflect our disappointment, as well.

I passed it over based on the title, but revisited and am downloading. Don't see playlist management but just for playback and the search I think I'll buy it even if I don't use it much. Must reward him for creating decent search queue (if not playlist) management with limited resources when MS couldn't do the same with Billion$.

I passed it over based on the title, but revisited and am downloading. Don't see playlist management but just for playback and the search I think I'll buy it even if I don't use it much. Must reward him for creating decent search queue (if not playlist) management with limited resources when MS couldn't do the same with Billion$.

Yeah I just bought the full app, after being amazed at how he continues to make it better with every update. The performance is amazing: fast and fluid, the way it should be. It even lets you edit metadata even if one has to pay for that feature! I can't say no $1.49 when an app such this is miles better than the official app. I just hope he has plans to improve the Now Playing screen and add continuous playback.

I passed it over based on the title, but revisited and am downloading. Don't see playlist management but just for playback and the search I think I'll buy it even if I don't use it much. Must reward him for creating decent search queue (if not playlist) management with limited resources when MS couldn't do the same with Billion$.

Just to point something out here.

Yes MS has billions...if they devoted every dollar of that to every project nothing would ever get done. Think about that carefully. If I used those billions just on this app, or just on that app...it would halt everything else.

Resources are spread out, including cash. I realize you probably know that...but felt the need to mention it since I see that comment a lot.

Yes MS has billions...if they devoted every dollar of that to every project nothing would ever get done. Think about that carefully. If I used those billions just on this app, or just on that app...it would halt everything else.

Resources are spread out, including cash. I realize you probably know that...but felt the need to mention it since I see that comment a lot.

You are correct. But when people mention that, they are doing it tongue in check. I think for say, 1 million, you could add the basic functionality that is missing. People refer to the cash reserves at MS when they feel that something MS has done is just beyond the pale. Like release the default Music app for Windows 8 with such basic functionality missing or not working. Did anyone QA it at all?

And search, are you seriously telling me their internal usability tests didn't uncover how many search scenarios this implementation would just be a kludge of a mess?

Given MS' resources and market dominance, it's just unacceptable. But of course each division has a budget. But still, there's no excuse for a lone app dev to implement better search and usability in a music app than whatever division and team of programmers and project managers at MS did with the Music app.

To be honest, I'd fire whoever is responsible for the Music app being in the shape it's in. That's just how bad I feel it is. And gain, it's the fact that it is released in cutting edge products (Surface, Windows 8 OS) at such a critical time. How does that happen?

I'd also fire whoever signed off on the Windows 8 search implementation. I think these two things are just glaring examples of unacceptable incompetency, complacency.

Again, the bigger concern is there's clearly something wrong with the culture at Microsoft in the consumer division(s) to allow these things to get out in this shape. Search I would imagine falls under Windows and they did let Sinofsky go.

Edit: And for the record, I really like Windows 8, and love the Surface.

Never really agree with Paul Thurrott and always felt he was an MS shill. But I guess I was wrong. This article of his hits the nail on the head as to why sometimes Windows 8 feels like it's coming apart at the seams if you delve into the right area and come away thinking "R U Serious?"

It's probably a good thing if rumors of slow sales are true. That gives MS time to release daily updates throughout the product until it is rock solid. Before it reaches critical mass in the consumer space and becomes a mini disaster.

I generally agree that Xbox Music is a pretty crap app with some major, obvious failings. However, it's heartening that we've received a couple of updates lately that seem to have done a lot to improve performance. Hopefully we will soon see functionality improvements added as well.